Failure to Properly Store Respiratory Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for residents requiring such care, as evidenced by improper storage of respiratory equipment for two residents. For one resident with COPD and respiratory failure, observations revealed that her nasal cannula was left hanging unbagged from her wheelchair and her CPAP mask was placed unbagged on her nightstand, despite not being in use. The resident confirmed she had not used the oxygen or CPAP since the previous night or earlier that morning. A registered nurse acknowledged that respiratory devices should be bagged when not in use to prevent infection and stated it was the nurses' responsibility to ensure this was done. Another resident with chronic respiratory failure was observed with her nasal cannula on the floor, hanging from her wheelchair and unbagged when not in use. A licensed vocational nurse confirmed that the devices needed to be bagged to avoid infection and that it was the nurses' responsibility to check for this. The Director of Nursing also stated that respiratory devices should be bagged when not in use and that she and the nurses check for this throughout the day. Review of the facility's policy on oxygen administration indicated the need to follow physician's orders and ensure safe handling of respiratory equipment.